I’m a retired biologist who worked for decades assisting Indian tribes throughout the country in managing their fish and wildlife resources. I’m in my seventies now, and I live in Florida. Fishing has been my passion since I was young, and I prefer to fish in saltwater, where I go for redfish, sea trout, snook, and other popular local fish species. I practice catch and release, unless someone close (wife or neighbors) orders a particular fish from me for dinner. I fish alone and with other kayak anglers.

I got my first W300 kayak in 2006, and liked it a lot. Since then I’ve upgraded to the new model, a W500, and I like it even better.

Over the years, I’ve owned various fishing boats, and I stuck to the Wavewalk for several reasons; its unmatched stability, comfort and dryness, and the fact that unlike other kayaks it doesn’t hurt my back even if I spend the entire day fishing in it. I can stand up and unkink anytime I want, or lay down on the saddle and stretch. It’s also lightweight, and that makes it easy for me to take it from my pickup truck to the beach, and back, even with all my fishing gear loaded inside its hulls.

Paddling my W is easy for me, even in harsh weather as it tracks perfectly without the need for a rudder. In recent years, I’ve discovered the pleasures of wildlife photography out of my W kayak. I’m planning to add a motor at some point so I can cover even greater distances. I had first opposed the idea of motorizing my kayak, but the numerous videos posted on Wavewalk’s blog have changed my mind.

All in all, it’s the most comfortable and functional fishing kayak I’ve seen.

Gary Rankel Hernando, Florida Some pictures of Gary and his fishing buddies:

7 Comments

After all these years, dozens of trip reports and rigging tips and hundreds of pictures you’ve contributed, it’s nice to get such a comprehensive review from you 🙂 Thanks to Dick Sherman and Bob Smaldone too!

Yoav

Fish Wiz06/29/2013 at --

Thanks Gary, I’ve enjoyed both the reading and the pics, keep them coming! FW

April L06/30/2013 at --

Thank you for the beautiful wildlife, surrise and sunset photos too. Following your stories is a pleasure . April

PaulZ06/30/2013 at --

Hey Gary, seven years already? It seems like a lot less, but maybe it’s beacuse this blog still didn’t exist seven years ago. This is a well written piece, and this collection of photos is a gem. I like both – Good job! –Paul

PackerYaker06/30/2013 at --

Thanks Yoav and fellow W enthusiasts. The pictures bring back lots of great memories. Now, if this bloody heat subsides a bit, I can get out and create a few more.